BACKGROUND: One of the typical complaints in females with multiple sclerosis (MS) is Sexual dysfunction (SD). AIM: This study aimed to compare the sexual function of women with and without MS and to recognise factors that possibly related to sexual dysfunction of women with MS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sexual function of 64 women with MS as a case study group were compared to a group of control comprised of 64 women. Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used accordingly to assess sexual function and severity of depression of case and control groups. Functional status of MS Patients was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The data were analysed using chi-square, independent Samples t, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression tests. RESULTS: There were no differences in the Total FSFI and 4 FSFI subscale scores (i.e. sexual desire, arousal, lubrication and satisfaction) between women with MS and controls. The only significant difference between the two groups was the dimension of orgasm (p = 0.016). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only BDI and FSFI total scores have significantly related (B = -0.436, P < 0.001). In women with MS, a significant negative correlation was found between FSFI and EDSS scores (rho = -0.35, P = 0.032), as well as between FSFI scores and disease duration (rho = -0.25, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Depression was associated to sexual dysfunction in women. It could be advantageous to evaluate and treat depression in women with MS who suffer from sexual dysfunction.

The correlation between allergic diseases and migraine is partially due to a better understanding of inflammatory mediators with vasoactive function that play an important role in these diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between allergic sensitization and severity of migraine.: This study was carried out on 212 patients who suffered from migraine headache in a university hospital in Mashhad, Iran. All of these patients were evaluated for allergic rhinitis (AR) by measuring the IgE level in peripheral blood and assessing the clinical symptoms of AR. Prevalence of AR in migraine patients and degree of allergic sensitization was assessed in this study.: The prevalence of AR in migraine patients was 78.30%. Total IgE levels in the peripheral blood in migraine patients with AR were found to be significantly (p<0.0001) higher than those without migraines. There was a significant difference between severity of AR (higher level of IgE) and severity of migraine attacks (p<0.0001), but there was not any significant difference between severity of AR and other factors.: We propose that inflammatory mediators play a key role in triggering migraine attacks. Thus, effective treatment of AR in migraine patients plays an important role in treatment and prevention of migraine headaches.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system and one of the most common neurological disorders among young adults. Clinical manifestations of MS vary from a benign disease to a rapid progressive disabling disorder. Although headache is not common in MS, an increased incidence of headache has been reported in people with MS. According to high prevalence of primary headache in MS patients and the prominence of its diagnosis in improving the quality of life, our aim was to evaluate the frequency of primary headache in patients with MS. Materials and Methods: 100 patients with multiple sclerosis enrolled in this descriptive study. Age, gender, clinical form of disease, duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale, family history of headache and type of headache according to international headache society criteria (IHS) were recorded. Results: In this study, 48% of MS patients had primary headache. Frequency of migraine was 19% and tension type headache was 29%. There was no significant association between primary headache and MS clinical features. Conclusion: This study points to a high comorbidity of headache and MS in Mashhad. Further studies in larger number of patients are needed to confirm our preliminary investigations.